Cory Rush, DMD
Growing up in Ahwatukee and Gilbert, Dr. Cory is a Phoenix native. He attended Arizona State University, where graduated magna cum laude with his Bachelors in Biology and a minor in Spanish. He then went on to attend the Medical University of South Carolina, where he made Deans List and earned his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry (DMD).
Growing up in Arizona, Dr. Cory developed a love for hiking, camping and fishing. Living in South Carolina also spurred a love for the ocean and being out on the water…fishing even more. Living in Dallas, TX heightened his love for discovering new restaurants, attending Dallas Mavericks and Cowboy’s games.
He fills his weekends with activities that revolve around his family. You can frequently catch them at a park chasing their little ones or shooting down the slide at full speed with a baby in tow. He has an unusual amount of Disney movie knowledge and is pretty excited about living a relatively short drive away from Disneyland.
What are you most passionate about professionally? What most excites about your work & the contribution you can make?
When I was an assistant for my dad and our practice I remember one particular Saturday where we got an emergency call. A patient of ours had a horrible accident and tripped over a rug going into her garage while holding a big armful of something. She had no way to catch herself and face planted hard. When we saw her at our office later that day I remember seeing how scared she was. Her two front teeth had been displaced violently towards the inside. She was in pain and covered in blood with tears streaming down her cheeks. She was living one of her worst fears as she thought that she was in for a worst case scenario and a life of smiling without her two front teeth. My dad calmed her and assured her that we would do everything we could to help her smile again. A couple of hours later she was cleaned up, teeth moved back into position and splinted for stability. I watched as my dad assured her that with a couple more appointments and a little time to heal that we would save her teeth and it would be like nothing happened. She’d smile again. Her face lit up in a way that left an indelible mark on me. That was the power of a smile. That was the power of confidence and peace of mind, and THAT was what I wanted to bring to people. I want to bring out the best in a person by allowing the smile they want to come out and show itself to the world. No pain, no tears, only confidence and a smile.
What path led you to your career choice and how did you get there?
I grew up in a house with a dentist dad (Dr. David Rush). Everywhere I looked in life there were dental magazines, teeth models, pictures, etc. Frankly, I was inundated with the stuff. Yet when it came time to really choose what to do I was split between three options. I wanted to be either a dentist, a chef, or a plastic surgeon. Well, I heard how long it takes to be a plastic surgeon and the MCAT had physics on it and I REALLY didn't like physics class, so that was out. I love to cook. I cook all the time and cook just about everything. I bake, barbecue, grill, roast, desserts, breakfast, fun stuff all over the place. If I like to eat it I'd learn to make it. But Chefs have a hard life, in my opinion, and their hours aren't conducive to the family life I wanted to have. So that was out. Now dentistry was obvious because of my upbringing, but I also love the work. It’s art, it's technical, it's mechanical, and it truly changes lives. Now that's a winning combo!
Where can we see you when you're not working?
On the weekends we have a strong tendency towards spontaneous trips and travel. We love driving with our kiddos and we cruise all over the city and to California. You'll probably also catch me chasing my kids around a park or splash pad, just trying to keep up.
How would you spend your ideal weekend?
With family— Kids sleep in and we all go get brunch followed by going to a local event/festival, catch a movie, get some good Mexican food and salsa and followed by a relaxing evening with my wife.
By myself— going to the mountains to fish/hunt/camp and eating campfire dinners while listening to 90's country.
What is the most interesting trip you've ever taken? Why?
My wife and I got to go visit her brother in Okinawa, Japan and it was a blast. We spent time in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Okinawa and just soaked in the culture and explored. It was great and I'd love to go back.
What is your favorite meal?
Now that's a question that would have us here all day. I'm a fan of food and eating, and to be honest my favorite food entirely depends on the season and my mood. But desserts are king.
What favorite treat puts you in a great mood?
A chic-o-stick. They're a simple gas station candy that looks like a Butterfinger they forgot to coat in chocolate. They remind me of my dad and eating one just makes me think of all our good times. Except my wife, my dad was my greatest support and cheerleader and honestly was my best friend.
What is the best advice you've ever received?
Before I left on my mission, Dr. Kyle turned to me and said “I’m going to give you the same advice that my trainer on my . mission told me. He then grabbed me on both sides of the head, looked me in the eyes and said "Don't. Screw. It. Up." also, "The greatest times of change hold the greatest potential for good" -Chris Waddell